Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Stories of INCOMPETENT MECHANICS - post yours!
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They repaired the ball joint(or something like that) and said that they use Genuine Ford Motorcraft parts and has 12000 miles/12 mos. warranty. The problem re-occurred after 3-4 mos and after I moved to NJ. I called them and they not only denied the fact that they use Motorcraft parts(nor they say they us it) and they cover my waranty only if I was in the area. I got it fixed in NJ. I asked them to pay me for it, they asked me to mail the damaged part(which was ridiculous). Usually mechanics discards the parts after they take it off and they know it.
So I didn't have the part they used so couldn't do anything since I was far in NJ.
Stay away from them if you can.
I went to the Dodge Dealer at 50K. They asked me if I had my brake job done at Pep Boys.
What I've learned:
Brakes - Take it to the dealer
Trans - Take it to the dealer
Oil Change - Joe Blow can do it.
Electrical - dealer of course.....
2 cents
Expensive, not at all knowledgeable, reticent to admit any fault can be attributed to their maintenance.
I don't drive a Lexus but they seem to start out as fine cars. I would advise anyone in the bay area considering a purchase that there is a good dealer at the auto row in Fremont.
From the get go, realized climate control panel wasn't operating properly, but had awesome air, heat and defrost, so put it on the back burner of priorities. Few weeks later, figured out there was a problem with the compressor, froze up! If the car was running so was the compressor, coded the computer, I believe it was a high head pressure code. Took it to a BUICK shop, they had it 2 hours, called and said it was fixed, they had reprogramed the computer. Now folks, I know better than that, even remarked to the guy, didn't know you could do that. Paid my $60 and picked up the car. 2 miles down the road, it recoded! Translation of reprogram, disconnect the battery cables to clear the code and pray it doesn't come back.
Took it right back, they had it 8 hours this time before they called. Said the evaporator core was leaking, which affected the dryer, yada, yada, yada to the tune of $1000. Now you must understand we just purchased this car 4 weeks previous from another dealership which at the time of sale offered certain gaurantees and warranties. Air-conditioning components included. So I apoligized to the guy and said hey, gotta take it back where I got it.
Take it back to them, haggle with the general mgr for an hour and finally agree to pay for parts if they eat the labor, which was over half the bill. They had it for a week, call me and say there is NO leak and that they had run every leak test possible, even recharged the system with dye, NO LEAKS! They drove it, ran it, no leaks. Sooooooo, we pick it up, 2 miles down the road, it codes again.
Get home, hubby digs out the service manual and in 20 minutes found the problem. Seems some idiot decided to bypass the relay when it went bad instead of replacing it, thus hot wiring our compressor. Bought the $20 relay, installed it in the parking lot and have had no problems in the 2 1/2 years since.
So was the first garage trying to take me to the cleaners, you betcha!!!!!! We lucked out!
Hubby drives car for just over 1000 miles- car goes wacky- starts trying to slam itself into reverse while traveling at 40 mph, and GOES INTO A SPIN! Hubby gets off to side of road and tried to floor engine to blow up motor. It wouldn't rev up. Tow truck driver picks up car hour and a half later. Walks up to vehicle and asks it it had been on fire? Humm, pop the hood, can't even touch anything on the motor it's too hot.
At the dealer the next day- "There's nothing wrong with the car". That was December 15th. Car is still at the dealer- they've tried to give it back 2x- we refuse to take it. Nothing has been done, they aren't willing to give us any certification of it's safety (I already told them I wanted everyones business cards, so I know who I'm going to sue). We've had the GM regional service rep look at it- he says it's fine. He's the one that controls all the GM service depts in the area. As long as he says there's nothing wrong, no one will start to tear the car down and figure out what's wrong with it.. UGH!
How did you figure out that it was trying to shift into reverse?
Guitarzan
Community Leader/Vans Conference
So I called the closest dealer, in Bergenfield, and asked for the service department. Some guy answers the phone, asks if I can hold, and (I assume mistakenly) leaves me on the line while he describes the various idiots (customers) who passed by his desk that day, and how he likes to "screw with their minds".
I hang up, call Ford roadside assistance, and ask for a flatbed to take my car to a dealer near work, on Rt. 17 in NJ (forget the name...).
Car gets there, they look at it, tell me they have to order a new radiator, and it will take two days. Oh, and they don't do loaner cars...
Day 3. I call back, they say they ordered the wrong part, and I'll have to wait another two days, not including the holiday weekend. Ok, anyone can make a mistake...
Day 7. Oh oh, we ordered the wrong part again. I ask if they plan on ordering the entire lineup of Ford radiators until they find one that fits, or if perhaps they could just look up the stock number this time? Oh well, this time may be four to five days...it has to come from Detroit. I was not amused. I call Detroit, ask if they can possibly speed the process up.
Day 8. Dealer calls me! Wow, that's a first. Well, radiator has arrived, but people are very upset that I called Detroit...apparently they have a reputation to uphold, and they don't appreciate customers going up the line, so to speak. I act innocent, said I just wanted to see why radiators were in such short supply, seeing as how most cars use them, so somebody out there must make an extra one now and again.
Radiator is installed. Car still overheating because the fan shorted out when the radiator blew. Which they didn't notice before, because of course the fan was hidden under a nice sticky layer of x-files green coolant. Two more days...
Day 11. Car is finally ready! I pick it up, leave before the service manager notices me, and spend the evening removing various grease spots from the interior and exterior.
That was it for Ford service. I put another 103,000 miles on the car after that, but never went near another dealer. I loved the car, but the service...
Hubby said you could feel the car trying to slam into reverse. Grinding, jerking, the whole bit. Said he'd never felt anything like that before in his life. Said it was like when you put the car into reverse too quickly and you're still rolling forward only multiplied tenfold. We just hope when they finally decide to lemon it (it's coming to that), they don't try and resell it. If I'd ever see it on the road (it is unique) I'd turn and go another direction.
I always keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge.. notice that it never comes off 0 and immediately shut off the engine. And, now here comes the mechanic following the black trail out to my car. He has to clean it up and wonders where it leads to. He looks under the car.. Hey! No oil filter! and thanks me for not driving it home. Duh! More later.
I said I agree, and since the car is brand new (3500 miles) lets wait.
Or, calling a week or two in advance to make an appointment for some minor (or non-urgent I should say) repairs only to end up waiting several days anyway simply because it is "first come, first serve". So what's the purpose of making an appointment?
Finally, Pep-Boys - DON'T GO THERE. I've used them in the past and received quality work - mostly new tires and inspections. But they dropped the ball this last time. While visiting family in Pittsburgh one weekend, a rear control arm broke on my car. Being a Sunday, Pep-Boys was the only option. Any way, Sunday afternoon I am told they need to order the part from Chrysler Monday morning and it would be in on Tuesday. Fine I say. Tuesday morning, I call about noon. "How's my car". I am told Chrysler sent the wrong part. It was reodered and should be in on Wednesday. Wednesday I call - "How's my car". Wrong part again. Well I let the "service" manager have it, which resulted in nothing. Thursday morning no call. So I call again, car is fixed, but we have to recharge the battery so it will be done around 3PM.
No discount, no reimbursement for lost wages, no apology, nothing. So from now on, I tell everyone not to go to Pep-Boys.
85 Toyota Truck: "I am over heating"
Toyota Dealer: "Your head gasket has an 'external leak'. $900 to service.
Independent Mechanic recommended by friend: "Your fanclutch has worn bearings. $70."
Replaced the fanclutch-it's been 3 months without overheating...later
Bought a new TC3 (Plymouth) years ago and a few weeks later headlights started blinking off and on as well as other accesories. I tracked the problem to water in the fuse box (you know, the one under the dash right next to the side panel)and took it back to the dealer and told them there was a leak around the front window. They said "are you sure you didn't leave your window down?" (like rain is anti-gravity and can go upwards under the dash). I say, no, the windshield leaks and leave the car. They call and say it's fixed (needed some additional sealant). A month later, went through the same thing (another fuse box). A few months later, same thing, this time the fuse box is completely corroded. Dealer says "We think you replaced this windshield yourself and it's not the right one, so you are responsible". This statement caused me to get upset and exchange words. Remember, this is a new car. They eventually, relented and actually got it right the third time.
Within the year, that dealership went bankrupt so I guess you do reap what you sow.
It takes place in Norristown, PA (just outside Philadelphia,) and involves my mom's '92 Ford Tempo GL. When she originally bought the car in '93, she got the extended warranty (60K.) At about 50K miles, she notices that the temperature gauge stopped working. She took it into Norristown Ford, and the Service Manager said they couldn't find anything wrong. He said "thats the way Tempos are." Funny, it worked right till then. She tells them to keep it there until they find out what is wrong. They give her a ride to work (in a different '92 Tempo.) She looked over at the temperature gauge, and it worked. She asked the driver about it, and he said they are supposed to work.
To make a long story short, she gave them HELL, and got a new thermostat which fixed the problem.
Stay FAR away from Norristown Ford! Don't even drive past it in your Ford product!
came out of track, and destroyed the entire track
and window lifting mechanism. I brought it to the
dealer, under warranty. They fixed it.
Two week later it came out of track again. I
stopped it before it ground to a halt, and gently slid it back into track.
Brought the car to the dealer.
They fixed it again.
One week later - the same thing. I brought it back to the dealer again and their "best tech" said "Works good for me." I went to the car, rolled the window down 1/3 and with one hand slid it out of track, and said "It shouldn't do that" To be sure of my hypothesis the tech rolled the passenger side window down 1/3 grabbed the window with two hands and began trying to yank it out of track. Before I could yell at him to stop that, he came the conclusion that the drivers side window track needed to be replaced and aligned by the body shop. Brilliant.
P.S. based on other experiences I too believe this mechanic to be their "best tech."
Oil Change for Taurus: I Bought air filter from Auto Zone, replaced it and drove into the Econo-lube. 10 min later the mechanic came with a filthy air filter, told me -this is the condition of your filter and so it needs replacement. When confronted with the "Auto Zone" recipt, quickly acknowledged the honest (?) mistake and vanished.
Oil Change for Altima: No problems untill the next day there was Transmission oil under the car. Took it to another repair shop to find -1 screw of the pan was missing and the adjacent 3 screws were ready to fall off.
My conclusion is : STAY AWAY FROM CHEAP OIL-LUBE DEALS.
Well, after each visit I had my carpets well greased, new scratches in the paint, and oil-based handprints all over the front of the car, but still these problems persisted.
I finally took the car to a different dealer, who saw the problem and knew how to fix them, but couldn’t because I already had a service claim against it. Here’s some good advice: The second dealership’s service manager told me to call the original dealer and ask to speak to the district service manager, and to have him or her meet me at the dealership to inspect the car. This way, nothing can be overlooked or explained away ( and the problems are logged by the district manager). When I asked the dealership to talk to this person, their tone changed, and they finally fixed the problems. If you are having similar problems with your dealership, you might want to try this tactic. Oh, by the way, I finally traded in my Beetle. I guess I lost confidence in it. Someday I might buy another one from the other dealership.
Had a rattling noise in the dash and an oil leak.
Made 6 visits to these Authorised Mitsubishi dealers. They are the least competent people in the automotive industry, that I have seen so far. They never fixed either of the problems. The Mitsubishi representataive got involved but couldn't help me because he cannot go and do it himself, and the mitsubishi repairmen seem to be a bunch of high school dropouts who have to hold wrenches in their hands for the first time in their life. I don't flame all of them, just the ones I have seen.
To make a long story short, the knuckleheads at the place didn't put the right oil filter o, basically making a BIG MESS and causing the engine to seize....
The most frequent mistake is the person wanting the parts gives the wrong information includeing year, side (left, right, front, back) or completely giving the wrong name (wants brake pads, but asks for master cylinder instead).
The books and computers can be wrong. There are often updates to solve some problems. There's probably 500,000 different part numbers that we can deal with (no way we can stock them all and even the depots don't stock them all) and mabey 1-10 thousand errors depending on the updates and the year the product deals with.
The depotsometimes ships the wrong part. I order a couple of mirrors and the depot sends me two hubcaps. The white tag has the part they sent me and the blue (the local depot, but other depots have their own colors) tag has the part number of what I put in (they must match with the white tag).
The part is sometimes misboxed. The part number on the box/part is correct, but the part is completely different. This guy comes in with the old part and the original box. It's a round short plastic tubeing that goes on the aircleaner. I order four of them and they were all square holes. Call the main depot (the guys with the blueprints to tell us what really is suppose to be in those boxes) to do an inspection and they said they had nothing in stock to inspect. Customer got upset and we couldn't do nothing but order the wrong part till the depots ran out and had to order more (hopefully the correct ones). We also had a problem with getting the wrong sides in the window motor kits.
Typos sometimes happen. Since the parts are written up, usually slopply, by hand I might misread a number and the number I put in turns out to be a good number. This happens only a couple of times a year. More often they write down the incorrect number or look up the wrong part.
Our customers are starting to get meaner and less observant.
One our service guys had is quote off by $1,000 and wanted the parts for free and at worst cost. It took 20 minutes to convince him the parts department wasn't a non profit organization (and our service department has to be reminded on a daily bases).
Another guy was told his parts would probably take five days to come in. It took four and he didn't want it because it took to long.
Another guy comes in and the part had been superceded to another part. He complained the part didn't look the same. It took a hour to tell him the definition of supercede.
People are constantly buying parts for their trial and error scheme. Once the part is put on, it's a used part. We don't sell used parts nor can we return used parts. We constantly have to take the parts back because the management and the vehical companies demand we have happy customers, because they are interested in the customer coming back for a $20,000 car rather than fighting over a $20 part. Our department gets the money for that $20 part and not the $20,000 car.
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On a similar note I went to a grocery store and this woman in front of me at the cash register had $200 worth of groceries she took home, but her mother refused to pay her back, so she returned the groceries.
The world is I want it now, in good codition, to my specs and for free.
My 80 year old dad's 89 Ford Probe failed to start - wouldn't crank over all the time. So he drove it to the country dealer.
Their diagnosis? The radiator was leaking, and it blew coolant into the alternator, ruining it. Both needed replacement. The cost would be nearly $1000.
Dad's not wealthy, so he limped home with the car still unrepaired. He then took a close look himself. He could see no obvious coolant leak.
Then he noticed one of the battery terminals had a poor connection to the cable. A $2.50 terminal fixed the problem.
I just ordered a new Focus. This dealer offered me the lowest price, but I chose to go to a different dealer 25 miles away. Any guesses why?
They say they will check it out. They call me back later and tell me I need i long block and the cost for installing that would be 2,700.
Up to the point of taking my car into this dealer the car ran fine I've replaced a battery. Other than that this car ran fine.
Has any body out there experienced this kind of problem
First they charged her about $200 more then Ric's guy would have. Then as she drove the car home after the work, the engine began making awful noises. She brought it back immediately. They told her she must have done something to it. Surprise!
Well, sure enough the engine was toast. Ric had the car towed to his guy where he learned they had flushed out the engine, a no-no with a car with this many miles on it. The gunk pluged up the screen on the oil pump, which they didn't bother to clean. The result was an oil-less engine.
So Ric took her back to the butchers (sorry to any real butchers reading) that caused the damage. She was in tears - she loved the car. They refused to accept any responsiblity for the damage. As Ric's wife left in tears, Ric saw the mechanics laughing about it.
He went in and read them the riot act. He must have done a good job, because they finally agreed to replace the engine. Further research has turned up a history of this type of work at this garage.
And half the time I think they turn the "lot boy" loose on most of the jobs.
What ever happened to the old flat rate book ?????
Have you noticed when having any work done on a new car still under warranty, that you never see the cost. With GM you just sign for the work done. They dont want you to see what they charge the factory. Nor do they want to scare you off from coming back after your car is out of warranty.
Kristina/co host Our Turn
If the dealer pays for it, it somewhat justfies (perhaps not entirely) the fact that they are keeping a good portion of the labor rates. We had this same issue in computer training. We'd spend 3-6 months salary to get an instructor trained before we could even turn that instructor loose on a solo taught class (one instructor leading the class) and this doesn't count the travel costs to send that person probably twice a month to take or even co-teach classes in other cities. It could easily cost us $9K-$18K in travel plus $15K-30K in salary and benefits before that person made us a single dime. Imagine putting a $24K-$50K bet on a new employee. (Salaries are much better in technical training than teaching in your local public school, but you have to travel and you don't get summers off.)
My point is, that your dealer probably has some money invested in you and the shop your work in, and should be entitled to recoup that.
I do think that the tech's seeing the labor rates probably does not help motivate them. Most probably think they are being screwed. (And I'm sure some if not many are.)
If you are truely motivated, open your own shop. Then you can keep more of that labor $$$.
Not a rant, just another perspective on this subject.
Cheers,
TB
Yes, owning my own shop would be like a dream come true... But at the moment I put in enough hours at work and not enough time or energy at home with my 5 month old son!!!!It's not always just the pay it's the time and money invested in the field.
It's getting warranty claims that take 4 hours to do and only get paid 1.6 hours... Don't get me wrong I'm in this field because I truly love working on cars. I love knowing that the mother taking her kids home has a safer vehicle because of my knowledge and skill to fix that vehicle...
It's just I'm sick of good techs. getting a bad reputation. Like I said before we don't make all the money..... Sometimes the only thing I come home with at the end of a long day are metal splinters,scrapes,and sore feet but I don't expect the consumer to feel sorry for me...I'm not trying to rake consumers over the coals for the jobs I do but, that dosen't mean the dealer won't!!!
Kristina/co host Our Turn
Recently while reading at www.contour.org a particpant took his vehicle in for a check engine light. He was sold a bunch of repairs and sure enough, his check engine light was not lighting up any more, ever. It seems someone at the dealer removed the light.
I'm not saying a tech did this, but the customer should receive a quality repair, and not just treatment of the "symptoms."
Oh, and I understand the busted knucles, scrapes and splinters. Spent the better part of this afternoon changing the rear struts on my 1987 Buick. Don't laugh, I spent about 20 minutes trying to get my hubcap off. Then I found out what that strange wrench in the glove box was for. Fortunately, I only buggered up one, but not too bad.
Tomorrow it is the fronts, then Monday, off to my mechanic for alignment and wheel balance.
Cheers,
TB
Kristina/co host Our Turn
After getting the whole thing together and hopping in the shower, I had the thought that I could have taken the strut with spring down to the shop and had them replace the units, but I'd still need to return for a four wheel alignment, so I'll just make one trip. At least I'll know they have the parts
I couldn't do this for a living, but it is good therapy to bang and grunt and tug on the cars during the weekends. That is what makes it fun, I don't have to do it, only do it when I want to.
Cheers,
TB
Kristina/co host Our Turn
They said the left CV axle was bent put one in.
I should have known better when they bumbled around trying to figure out what kind of transmission oil it took and where to put it in...
Drove home and parked over night-
In the morning I noticed a small pool of oil under the vehicle! It had NEVER leaked before!
I called them up and they said to bring it in later. They said it was probably the seal.
They replaced the seal three times - the second time they did that I asked them if they had the wrong axle -
"No Way" they said...it still leaked and I had to travel a couple thousand miles with it leaking before I could get it back to them for the...fourth time!
The trans was making a high pitched noise probably from lack of oil when I pulled in for the fourth time in their shop!
Long story short - it WAS the wrong part!!!
It was an axle for an automatic trans Honda, not a standard!!! Idiots!
They pulled that axle a total of THREE times without checking to make sure it was the right part! Even after they put the right part in it continued to leak a bit because they had rounded off the trans oil plug and refused to buy a new one!
Don't go to Meineke in Jacksonville, FL in the Regency area off of Philips Highway!!!